Cardiff City, Away - 1sts
19-10 Chris (6), Joey (4), Josh (4), Remco (3), Kat (1), Sian (1), Amy, Donna
If the last match-up between City and Dragons had been tense, with City fighting back superbly to claim a draw, this one promised to be even tighter, with both sides knowing that defeat here would severely damage their title chances. Both sides made two changes from the previous meeting, City bringing in Harry for the absent Ceri, and replacing Terry with Taff; while Dragons brought in Amy and Joey for Pam and Rob. Just as in the last game, Dragons took an early lead in the match, Josh landing a long shot and Remco a veer before Kat battled her way through for a running-in shot. 3-0 to the “away” team. But this scoreline was misleading as City were getting just as many shots up and now they began to drop. Seconds after Kat’s goal, Harry scored from the half-way line, before a great team move set up Lee. When Susan was offered a rare bit of space by Kat she took full advantage and levelled the scores at three apiece.
In recent games against Exeter and Horfield, Dragons had been able to run past opponents seemingly at will, but there was no such opportunity here, instead they had to rely on their long-shooting. Fortunately for them, Chris was finding his range and scored twice from distance, before Josh added another from range. Just to prove that two could play that way, Ramzi landed a long shot of his own. Joey’s running-in shot extended the Dragons lead again, but Harry scored from the corner with the last action of the half. 5-7, and all still to play for.
City stormed out of the blocks in the second half, Lee scoring a long-shot after a couple of seconds, but Dragons response was to prove decisive. First Remco scored with a running-in shot, then Joey scored from mid-range before spotting Chris under the post for an excellent assist. Sian scored neatly after a quick turn before Josh completed a hat-trick of long shots with both Harry and Taff trying desperately to deny Remco the rebound. 5 unanswered goals had given Dragons a 12-6 lead, and City called a time-out in an attempt to regroup. Almost immediately though they fell further behind. Ramzi committed himself to an interception on the half-way line, which he’d probably have made if Josh’s pass hadn’t been heading metres off course. Somehow Chris managed to keep the ball in play and had a free run to the post. Amy took up an excellent feed position, but was ignored as Chris and Joey exchanged passes across the width of the court. The result was the same though, Chris getting his fourth goal under the post. When Joey’s speed took him through for a running-in shot, the game seemed to be finally beyond City’s reach.
Naturally they didn’t give up and Midge scored from mid court to get their half of the scoreboard moving again. Two veers from Remco and Chris made the score 7-16, before Taff finally took one of the plethora of opportunities he’d created for himself with a mid-air collect and shot. Not to be out-done in the Matrix-esque goals, Josh responded by taking Chris’s superb pass out of defence, turning and sinking an underarm shot without touching the ground. Lee forced a shot home from under the post for City, before Chris and Joey scored their 6th and 4th goals respectively. City at least had the last word, with Lee scoring his 4th with the final shot of the game.
A 9 goal margin of defeat doesn’t do justice to City, who battered the rim of the basket throughout, with Ramzi, Susan and Taff particularly unlucky. It was almost like watching two parallel games, with the girls dominant in defence and barely allowing any opportunities, while the boys from both teams rained in shots. It was also played with excellent sportsmanship from both sides considering the importance of the match and the inexperience of the ref, with great respect being shown towards the opposition and very limited dissent, a credit to all involved.
Thanks to Jay from Bristol Uni - the man in the middle!!!